What is the Symbolism of a Graduation Tassel?

what is the symbolism of a graduation tassel

-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
  • offtocollege post - please share:
  • There are many meanings associated with the graduation tassel.

    First, it symbolizes your motivation to succeed in your studies and the ability to give back to the community.

    Education is about retaining knowledge, and this tassel represents your ability to contribute to your community.

    Graduation tassels are traditionally placed on the left side of a graduate’s cap and gown.

    The symbolism of a graduation tassel

    A graduation tassel is an integral part of graduation regalia, and its symbolic meaning is as old as university education itself. Tassels have various purposes, dating back to the 14th century when European universities began using graduation cap gown tassel as a sign of higher learning.

    In addition to indicating completion of a degree, graduates could wear tassels to honor specific accomplishments or denote different academic levels.

    Historically, people have used tassels to decorate various items, including clothing, hair, and religious items. Today, graduation tassels are worn on graduation caps and represent class membership and completion.

    Some traditions have tassels turned to symbolize a person crossing the threshold from candidate to graduate. High school graduates often wear a tassel on their right side at the start of the graduation ceremony to signify this transition.

    During the tassel flip, tassels began on the right side of the graduation cap. Then, the dean would move them to the left side of the cap. Tassel’s colors matched the school’s colors.

    Meaning of throwing a graduation tassel

    The meaning of throwing a graduation tassel is not entirely clear, though. Many schools use it to symbolize the completion of a degree, and some move it to the left after the ceremony.

    The move is symbolic of the student’s transition from high school to college. Others may just keep the tassel to be used as a souvenir. Whichever method is chosen, tassels symbolize achievement, and they should be cherished.

    The tassel is a colorful thread bundle hanging from a gold or silver clasp. Graduation tassels are part of the university uniform and are distributed as graduation memorabilia.

    The tassel measures nine inches in length and can come in more than sixty color combinations. In some schools, the tassel may be one of many colors.

    Graduation tassels are traditionally worn on the right side of the graduation hat before the ceremony and to the left after. The tassel is usually tied to Radiohead’s tune of “Pomp & Circumstance.”

    Similarly, tassels were also traditionally used to separate people in religious and military ranks. The meaning of throwing a graduation tassel is a symbolic declaration of belonging to a class.

    Meaning of placing a graduation tassel on the left

    Graduation tassels are commonly worn on the graduation cap and usually have a metallic year charm. Graduating students can also add any other signs they feel represent their achievement.

    Tassels are symbolic of success and should be placed on the left side once the graduate receives their diploma. Placing a graduation tassel on the right side of the cap symbolizes earning the right to graduate while moving it to the left afterward signifies crossing over to the next phase in their life.

    other related articles of interest:

    Graduation tassels may be adorned with different colors to reflect the degree they confer. For example, a Bachelor’s degree in education may have a blue tassel, while a Master’s degree might have pink or orange threads.

    Furthermore, depending on the school, tassels might be worn on the left or right side of the cap or the front or back. In most cases, a graduation tassel should be placed on the left side unless worn with another color or material.

    Graduation tassels are traditionally placed on the right side of the cap, in the center. They have been worn for centuries and are derived from the Latin word “tassau,” meaning clasp.

    Traditionally, graduates have worn tassels to signify their status as graduates, but these traditions have changed considerably since the 14th century.

    In addition, universities like Oxford mandated graduation gowns. Tassels and gowns are also worn to show the graduate’s distinction from laypeople.

    Image Credit: by envato.com

    end of post … please share it!

    facebook linkedin pinterest

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: OfftoCollege.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The commission earnings are used to defray our cost of operation.

    View our FTC Disclosure for other affiliate information.

    Comments

    Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.